(GIRLS LAUGHING)
PAIGE: For me?
ASHLEY: Okay.
So, which one do you want?
These ones.
Come here. Which one? This one?
No, these ones.
This one?
- Yes.
- (LAUGHS)
Other foot, other foot.
Give me that one.
Heels. I think you're too young
to wear heels.
- I know.
- Let me see.
Beautiful.
- Oh.
- It's okay.
Whatever you do, don't smile.
Whatever you do, don't laugh.
(BREATHES SHARPLY)
MELISSA: You stay young
and high for so long
that one day you look back
and you realize you're all alone.
Help gone,
and what's left?
Nothing.
BEATRICE: Thank you
for sharing, Melissa.
Anyone else?
Hi, I'm Ashley.
ALL: Hi, Ashley.
I lost everything too.
Because of meth.
They said I was an unfit mother.
Took away my little girl.
Every time I do it I think,
"This is the last time.
I can control this."
And I do it again and again and again.
I just can't...
I just can't stop.
I like it too much.
BEATRICE: Living one day at a time.
Enjoying one moment at a time.
Trusting that You'll make all things right
if I surrender to Your will.
Amen.
ALL: Amen.
Ashley.
I haven't seen you in a while. You okay?
You clean?
How long?
A month.
Like, two days.
If I can't do this,
then I don't get my daughter back
and if I...
I know.
It's not easy.
Have you heard of this book?
The Purpose Driven Life?
Oh, yeah. I have.
It can help.
It helped me.
Ashley, you can't do this alone.
If you need me, call.
Thanks.
(DOOR SLAMS SHUT)
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
Come on.
(DOOR BUZZER BLARES)
Face the wall, Mr. Nichols.
Eyes front.
Step inside, please.
Don't wanna keep Judge Barnes waiting.
That suit there
is compliments of your attorney.
Officer Hall down, cell block.
(ON RADIO) Please send a medic.
Prisoner escaped. 10-23 in progress!
(ALARM BLARES)
Mr. Nichols, what are you doing?
(ALL SCREAMING)
SGT. TEASLEY: Stop!
Suspect northwest service corridor.
In pursuit.
Stop!
Stop! Out of the way!
(MAN GROANS)
(SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE)
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
(ENGINE STOPS)
Ugh! I hate this car.
(HONKS)
Okay.
- (HORNS BLARING)
- Gosh!
Love you too!
MAN: Come on! Go.
Have a nice day.
NEWSCASTER: Right now
the search is on for a suspect
after a judge, a court reporter
and a deputy are shot dead
at an Atlanta courthouse.
We're following developments
in this breaking story.
Right now, police looking for this man.
From the CNN Center in Atlanta,
I'm Miles O'Brien.
And I'm Kyra Phillips.
This hour of CNN's Live Room
starts right now.
O'BRIEN: Let's just bring you
up to date on what's going on.
An intensive manhunt
all throughout the city of Atlanta
as they look for this suspect
involved in this multiple shooting
at the Fulton County
Superior Courthouse.
Brian Nichols is the suspect
and he is apparently at loose
in the city at large.
You're late, Ashley. Third time this week.
If it happens again, I'm gonna
have to put you on weekends only.
Aw, Randy, you wouldn't do that to me.
It'd break my heart.
Hold on.
Lady dropped this off for you.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Lieutenant Chestnut.
Meredith MacKenzie, TV 7 News.
Could you tell us how the shooter
was able to breach courthouse security
and kill three people?
I'm going on a national in two minutes.
Well, good luck with that.
Two deputies called in sick.
Deputy Cynthia Hall
was alone with Brian Nichols
when he attacked her in the holding cell.
JOHN: I know Cynthia.
How bad was she hurt?
She's in a coma.
He took her gun,
came in here.
One, two.
Where was the bailiff?
On a clerical errand for the judge.
Any priors?
Minor, until a rape charge.
A disorderly and a drug possession.
Played college football.
Two-year degree in electronics.
Had two good jobs.
What kind of time was he looking at?
25 years.
Department's on full tactical.
We have got to get this guy
back into custody.
Not unless one of ours gets to him first.
I know. We've set up
an emergency task force.
Chief wants you to take lead.
WOMAN: Commander,
the press is ready for you.
You got to fix this, John.
Let's get started on Nichols right away.
Friends, girlfriends,
former employers, everybody.
(SIRENS BLARE IN DISTANCE)
MAN: (ON RADIO) Well,
he grew up in Baltimore.
He lived in Florida, he lived in Atlanta.
He knows his way around
if he can get to some of
these other communities.
But my bet right now is that
he stayed in that local area.
He stays in the area that he knows.
Try to let some of the heat come off.
And this may turn out to not only be
the biggest manhunt in Georgia,
but the biggest manhunt in America.
(BABY CRYING)
Yeah, it's okay.
(SIREN BLARES)
This the rape victim?
No, this is the one he had a child with.
Lynn Campbell.
I can't keep it straight with these women.
Thank God you're here!
Ms. Campbell,
Sergeant Carmen Sandoval.
This is Lieutenant John Chestnut.
Has Brian Nichols tried
to contact you in any way?
- No.
- You sure?
Of course I'm sure.
After I found out what he did to his ex,
I have refused to have
anything to do with him.
Look at this little guy.
What's his name?
Christopher.
CARMEN: Hi, Chris.
Did you know any of Brian's friends?
Places where he would go?
He never really opened up to me much.
Other than work and the gym,
I don't know where else he would go.
Any guesses?
I told you, I don't know!
It's just that he might have
divulged information without meaning to.
Like I said, I don't know.
Look, we're gonna leave
these two officers here with you.
Sound good?
It does.
Is it all right if we look around?
Of course, sure.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Thank you.
Mommy!
Baby girl!
Mommy, guess what?
I took care of the baby ducks in school!
Lucky girl!
I came to drop off the balance
of your first month's rent.
Thank you, Aunt Kim.
You're a sweetheart to do that.
Well, remember, this is a loan.
I expect you to pay me back.
Yeah. I will.
Mmm. Like all the other times?
I said I would.
Mommy, I got a pretty dress
for the Mommy Daughter
Show tomorrow.
I bet I'm gonna love it.
WOMAN: Order up.
Can I see your new house,
Mommy? Please?
PAIGE: Please.
Hey, sweetie,
I'm gonna give you a quarter.
Why don't you run over
and get some gum, okay?
This Mommy Daughter Fashion Show
is important to her.
It's all she's talked about for days.
You need to be there by 9:30,
not a minute later.
Don't you roll your eyes at me!
You are her mother
and you need to start acting like it.
You've broken just about every promise
you've ever made to her.
I will be there at 9:30.
Thank you for the loan.
Oh, man! Great.
We'll brush it off.
DISPATCHER: (ON RADIO)
Reports have come in that
as many as four different vehicles
have been stolen
over the last several hours.
All units, be on the lookout
for a stolen 2004 light blue
Mercury Grand Marquis,
Georgia tags
1-Sam-John-Adam-4-4-George.
Vehicle is currently believed
to be driven by murder suspect
Brian Nichols.
OFFICER: 10-4. Appreciate it, Rose.
NEWSCASTER: You look at the actions
of the suspect, Brian Nichols,
in the triple courthouse homicide...
What do you think the personality profile
of a man like this is?
MAN: (ON TV) Well, you know,
I've listened to friends and relatives say
he was really a nice guy
when he grew up.
He was a nice kid, he was big,
nobody messed with him.
But, you know, people did
mess with him, the system did.
The system said he couldn't
abuse his girlfriend,
he couldn't tie her up in duct tape,
he couldn't assault her,
he couldn't carry a machine gun.
This is a guy who didn't
like to be told, "No."
And, when the system finally said,
"We're gonna make you pay for this,"
it sounds like this sociopath...
(WINDING TOY)
(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)
(BREATHING SHARPLY)
(SNIFFING)
(ROCK MUSIC PLAYING ON STEREO)
(PHONE RINGING)
(CLEARS THROAT)
Hey, Aunt Kim.
Ashley, I wanted to apologize for earlier.
I wasn't very nice.
(MUMBLES) No, it's okay.
No, it's not.
I was rude and unfair.
What's that noise?
Are you at a party?
No, no.
I'm just unpacking, playing my music.
Well, I just wanted you to know
I am proud of you, Ash.
You've been working really hard,
and we're gonna get there.
Thank you, Aunt Kim. That means a lot.
I've got someone here
who wants to talk to her mommy.
Here you go.
Mommy?
Hey, baby girl!
If it's okay, Mommy,
Aunt Kim said we can come
to your new house.
Uh, yeah.
Yeah, baby, that sounds great.
Yay, we're going to go
to Mommy's house tomorrow.
Mommy said it was okay.
Yay.
That's such good news!
Hey, listen, I got a lot to get through
if you're gonna come by,
so I'll see you soon.
I'll say my prayers for you.
I love you.
I love you, too. Bye-bye, sweetheart.
AUNT KIM: We'll see you
in the morning, honey.
Yep. 9:30.
Bye.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Any word on the Mercury?
Nothing yet, sir.
Brian Nichols' mother. Line six.
Hello, Ms. Nichols,
thank you for returning my call.
I called two days ago, warning
the Sheriff's Department about him.
Anyone tell us about this?
I told them what Brian's friends said.
If things didn't go his way, how he might
act out in court and hurt someone.
Why didn't anyone listen?
Has he tried to contact you, Ms. Nichols?
He knows better than
to call me after this.
Is there anything you could tell me
that will help us find him?
No, sir.
That girl he violated,
he was with her for seven years.
She was like a daughter to me.
I don't want anyone else getting hurt.
I'll be praying for you.
Thank you for calling, Ms. Nichols.
(POP MUSIC PLAYING ON STEREO)
(MUSIC STOPS)
(MUFFLED SCREAMS)
(SCREAMS) Help me!
You scream again,
and I will have to kill you.
Please.
- Who else lives here?
- No one.
Get up.
(ASHLEY SOBBING)
Where's the child?
Lives somewhere else.
What's in there?
Open it. Open it.
You said the child doesn't live here!
It's my surprise for her.
She's coming tomorrow.
(GROANS)
- Get in the tub.
- God, please, no, please.
Get in.
Look at me.
I said, look at me.
You been watching TV today?
- I have a daughter...
- Put your hands out.
She's five years old. If you hurt me...
Put your hands out. Cross your wrists.
Sit down. Sit down!
My name is Ashley Smith. I'm a mother.
Your phone. Where is it?
The landline's not hooked up yet.
I don't trust you.
Do not move.
If you do, I will hurt you.
(SIGHS)
Your daughter did this?
Kim Rogers.
Who's she?
My aunt.
This where the kid stays?
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
I can't give you any information.
It's as simple as that.
We're not comfortable with
any of this either, Doctor.
Now, I understand
and appreciate your position,
but if we knew Brian's psychology better,
it would help us immeasurably.
Three people are dead, Dr. Pratt.
Mr. Nichols has episodes of paranoia,
defensiveness, emotional distance,
and he doesn't believe that he actually
committed the rape that he's accused of.
Oh, come on.
Every criminal walks through my door
swears on their mother's grave
they didn't do it.
This man genuinely doesn't believe
he committed the crime.
It shows the depth of his denial.
And you didn't see this coming
when you were examining him?
The man was deeply in denial.
On TV, they said
you played college football?
Get up.
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
No, no, no, no. No.
No, no, no. (SOBS)
You don't have to do this.
(SOBS)
(ZIPPER UNZIPS)
(FABRIC RUSTLING)
(TAP SQUEAKING)
(SHOWER CURTAIN CLOSES)
(SIGHS)
You have any children?
Yeah.
Baby boy.
Newborn.
I didn't know till I found out
from my lawyer three days ago.
They wouldn't even tell me his name.
Why?
Same old stuff.
Always trying to grind me down.
No one wants to listen.
I didn't rape anyone.
What happened?
My lady cheated on me
with a minister from our church.
(CHUCKLES) Can you believe that?
A minister.
She was mad because I got
another lady friend pregnant.
But I went to her house to apologize
and I'd had a lot to drink.
But I did not do those things
they say I did.
(SIGHS)
I loved her.
My husband has some clothes
you could wear.
Husband?
He's coming home at 6:00.
He works the night shift.
You said no one else lives here.
No, I said no one else was here now.
(GROANS)
Are you lying?
Why would I lie?
Would you prefer I didn't say anything
and then he walks in here?
I guess we'll all have to
get acquainted at 6:00 then, won't we?
Your husband's clothes, where are they?
In a box in my bedroom closet.
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- (SIRENS WAILING)
You have my number.
Feel free to call me.
We found the Mercury Marquis
Nichols stole earlier
abandoned up the street.
Can you tell how far the shooter was
from Mr. Wilhelm?
About here.
From the angle of the wound,
Agent Wilhelm was on his knees.
(CHUCKLES)
JOHN: Never got to hit "Send."
What'd she say?
She was bringing him supper
when she found him like this.
Said he always carried a Glock,
even off-duty.
JOHN: Yeah, we found the holster.
Notify the FBI Field Office.
Let them know Wilhelm
was a customs agent.
And while you're at it,
see if you can locate the jail video
of Nichols' attack on Deputy Hall.
Besides her gun,
let's see if he took anything else.
My family doesn't listen to me, either.
They think I'm a liar.
They don't trust me.
That's good to know.
He took her radio. You were right.
I usually am.
NEWSCASTER: Department is offering
a $65,000 reward
for any information that would lead
to the capture of Brian...
(RADIO STATIC)
JOHN: (ON RADIO) Brian Nichols.
This is Lieutenant John Chestnut
from the Atlanta Police Department.
We know you have Deputy Hall's radio,
and we know you've been monitoring us.
It's time we had a talk, Brian.
You're an intelligent man.
We can work this out.
Anything?
Nothing yet. Get him talking.
I met your son today.
You know, a son
is something to be proud of.
Truly one of life's blessings.
I know you wanna meet
little Christopher.
I mean, the boy looks just like you.
You hear me, brother?
You are not my brother.
JOHN: That's right, Brian, I'm not.
I saw you and your posse
at my lady friend's house.
Sorry we missed you.
You've got a $65,000 reward out on me.
Whole damn city's locked down
and you still can't find me.
Yeah, you're right about that, Brian.
Just trying to do our job, you know?
Haven't enough people died today?
Be a tragedy if you
never met Christopher.
Never got to hold him.
Because, truth be told,
you're not getting out of here.
So turn yourself in,
and I promise you,
you will meet your son.
BRIAN: You and I both know
that's not the way it goes.
You kill a cop, a cop kills you.
I give you my word,
that's not gonna happen.
Don't lie to me!
Look, Brian,
the longer you stay out there,
the harder it's gonna be
for me to keep that promise.
But the quicker you end this,
the sooner you get to see Christopher.
(BRIAN BREATHING SHAKILY)
(RADIO STATIC)
(SOBBING)
DISPATCHER: How close?
About a three-mile radius,
North Gwinnett to the county line.
Best I can do.
You did good.
Not good enough.
He knows everything we're doing.
He's holed up somewhere with a TV.
Get our people over to Gwinnett
and alert the local P.D.
Beg for as much air support
as we can get.
Media still hanging around?
If she's out there, find that reporter,
Meredith MacKenzie.
I wanna talk to her.
Okay.
You got any weed?
Hey.
You got any weed?
I need to relax.
I don't.
Come on, I know you have
something here, party girl.
What you got?
Ashley.
Don't mess with me. What do you got?
I have ice.
What's that?
Meth.
Well, let's break it out.
Ladies first.
Come on, let's go.
No.
What do you mean, "No"?
You go ahead and do it if you want,
but I won't.
(SNORTS)
(GRUNTS)
(GRUNTS)
Miss MacKenzie.
Please have a seat.
We wanna give you an exclusive.
We need you to broadcast
something for us.
You can help us flush Nichols out.
When?
NEWSCASTER:
We are being told at this point
that nobody else in the courthouse
knew what was going on
inside that courtroom,
despite the fact that this man
had already shot the sheriff's deputy
in another part of the complex.
- (GRUNTING)
- So it's a very disturbing,
tragic, confusing story.
The fact is, three people are dead,
one in the hospital in critical condition,
and this man, who,
if and when he's caught,
could possibly face the death penalty
here in Georgia,
is still on the loose. Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Gary Tuchman outside
the courthouse there, thanks so much.
BRIAN: What time you say
your husband was coming?
- 6:00?
- Yes.
Yeah, that's good! That's good.
Gonna be ready. We're in a war.
And I'm a soldier!
I am a soldier for my people.
You can't enslave me!
You can't shackle me!
That's right, I am Brian Nichols!
PHILLIPS: All bus and train stations
will remain closed...
You better shut the buses
and the trains down.
I got it, I got it.
We're gonna go to Mexico.
Gonna get that truck,
we're gonna go to Mexico,
we're gonna rob the banks,
we're gonna pick up Christopher
and we're gonna go to Mexico.
What's your daughter's name?
- Paige.
- Paige, that's right.
We're gonna pick up Paige
and Christopher...
Hey, Brian, I gotta use the bathroom.
Go for it, you use the bathroom.
Everybody's gotta use the bathroom.
We all gotta use the bathroom.
Use the bathroom.
We gotta get that truck, though.
Hey! What are you doing?
I can't go with the door open.
All right, I'll turn around.
I'll turn around.
No, I can't go with you standing there.
I don't trust you, Ashley.
I don't trust you, Ashley.
Okay.
So what are we gonna do?
You're gonna talk, all right?
I'm gonna shut the door
and you're gonna talk. All right?
Yeah, okay.
Hey! Hold on!
I said we're gonna go to Mexico.
We're gonna get that truck.
We're gonna go to Mexico,
gotta rob the bank though.
Understand? Where we going, Ashley?
Where we going?
- Mexico.
- That's right.
The knife!
Give me the knife!
Talk, all right?
(SOBS)
Oh, my God. God, please help me.
BRIAN: I can't hear you!
- (BANGING ON DOOR)
- Ashley, I can't hear you!
Okay.
What do you want me to say?
Should I say the alphabet?
That'll work.
Okay. A, B, C...
- D, E, F, G...
- (GROANS)
H, I, J...
BRIAN: Keep going, Ashley!
ASHLEY: K, L, M, N...
Keep going!
It's weird to talk and pee.
Talk about, uh...
Talk about your husband.
He's two years older than me
and we met in high school.
(GROANS)
He works at Amalgamated Container.
What else?
How am I supposed
to go to the bathroom
if you keep asking me questions?
What's taking so long?
Who have you got in there?
- I can hear people in there.
- What?
What did you...
What did you put in that stuff?
You put something in that stuff.
No.
Why didn't you take it?
Why didn't you take it?
Why didn't you take it?
Uh...
Take it. Come on, take it.
Take it.
No.
What?
Do you want to live?
- Do you want to live?
- I do.
Then take it.
No.
Do it.
(THUNDER CRACKLES)
BRIAN: What is that?
What are you doing?
It's just a book.
What book?
The Purpose Driven Life.
I didn't say you could read.
Read it.
Read it to me.
"It all starts with God.
"It's not about you.
"The purpose of your life is far greater
than your own personal fulfillment,
"your peace of mind,
or even your happiness.
"It's far greater than
your family, your career,
"or even your wildest
dreams and ambitions.
"If you want to know why
you were placed on this planet,
- "you must begin with God..."
- Stop.
That's a bunch of church crap.
Place is full of con artists and hustlers.
My dad went to church every Sunday
and he was a mean drunk.
I've got a demon in me.
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
Roadblocks north and south
on Duluth Highway.
Peachtree west and east Rogers Bridge.
We miss anything?
Nope. All roadblocks operational.
Aerial surveillance ready.
Get MacKenzie on the phone.
Tell her it's showtime.
I want eyes in the sky.
All choppers up now.
Copy that.
And now, we wait.
MAN: (ON TV)
He's gonna be sorely missed.
He could teach judges a thing about
how to be a tough judge, but decent.
He did not have what
some lawyers refer to
as "robe-itis," which is, went to his head.
He was just an approachable,
very, very decent, very smart man.
Brian.
NEWSCASTER: Dennis Scheib,
attorney-at-law
here in Atlanta, Georgia...
I need to leave at 9:00
to see my daughter.
You're not going anywhere.
WOMAN: Next up,
Channel 7's Meredith MacKenzie,
reporting from police headquarters.
The body of Federal Agent
David Wilhelm
was found at his home in Buckhead.
The FBI are now joining
the investigation, widening its scope.
Nichols is believed to be driving.
Agent Wilhelm's blue
Chevy Silverado truck,
Georgia plate 5PXL456.
We got to get that truck
out of here. Let's go.
Can I at least put on
some warm clothes first?
BRIAN: Hurry up!
WOMAN: Joins us now from the scene
of the shooting of that customs agent
whose body was found
earlier this morning.
Hurry up!
WOMAN: Good morning to you, John.
Bring us up to date.
Good morning, Alex.
This is a very active crime scene.
Earlier this morning,
we're not sure exactly when,
Atlanta police got a call that
there was a body of a man
shot to death...
All I wanted was his truck,
and then he pulled his gun on me.
It was his own fault.
MAN: About eight miles
north of downtown Atlanta
where the courthouse shootings
occurred yesterday.
You can perhaps see some of the...
- Come on.
- (WHIMPERS)
I saw some woods down the road.
Know where I mean?
I do.
You drive, I'll follow.
Hey.
I know where the child is.
Don't do anything you'll regret.
(THUNDER CRACKLES)
God.
(WHIMPERS)
(ENGINE SHUTS OFF)
(ENGINE STALLING)
- (HORN HONKS)
- No, no, no.
No.
Hey there.
You need some help?
MAN: Are you okay?
ASHLEY: Yeah, it happens all the time.
I can fix it.
Ma'am, are you sure you're all right?
Yeah, I got it.
(ENGINE SPUTTERS)
- (ENGINE STARTS)
- (HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
Do we know each other
from somewhere, man?
Thank you, sir. We appreciate it.
Bobby was just following me
to make sure I got home safe.
You take care of yourself, ma'am.
Thank you.
(SIGHS)
The gate's shut.
Wait here.
Let's go.
Why did you do it?
Why'd you kill all those people?
No.
Is this him?
Mr. Six O'Clock?
(SIRENS WAILING)
Okay, just pull over
and act like anyone else would.
Okay, keep driving.
They're not looking for your car.
BRIAN: So, what's your
husband's name?
Mac.
"Big Mac."
Guess Mac'll be home
in around half an hour.
No.
I lied.
He's not coming home.
He's dead.
He was stabbed to death
by a drug dealer.
I should've made him
stay home that night.
If I had, he'd still be alive.
It's all my fault.
I miss him.
They found Wilhelm's truck.
He slipped through, John. (SIGHS)
Is this you?
Mmm-hmm.
You, uh, want any help with that?
No.
Anything I can do around here?
Well...
You could hang that mirror
over there, if you want.
You got any, uh, nails?
It's right behind you.
BRIAN: This wall, right here?
Mmm-hmm.
(HAMMERING)
Real butter.
You can read it, if you like.
Okay.
Out loud.
"God deserves your best."
"He shaped you for a purpose,"
"and He expects you to make
the most of what you have been given."
I haven't been given anything.
You have a son.
I'm never gonna see him again, am I?
If you stop what you're doing
and give yourself up, maybe you will.
Keep reading.
"He doesn't want you to worry about
or covet abilities you don't have."
"Instead, He wants you
to focus on talents."
"He has given you to use."
"When you attempt to serve God
in ways you're not shaped to serve..."
"Fear is a self-imposed prison
"that will keep you from becoming
what God intends for you to be.
"You must move against it,
and weapons of faith and love.
"The Bible says
'well-formed love banishes fear..."'
"Job said, 'My life drags by,
day after hopeless day."
"'And I give up, I'm tired of living."
"'Leave me alone,
my life makes no sense.'"
"The greatest tragedy is not death,"
"but life without purpose."
"We were made to have meaning."
"A young man in his twenties wrote,"
"'I feel like a failure,"
"'because I'm struggling
to become something"
"'and I don't even know what it is."
"'All I know how to do is to get by."
"'Someday, if I discover my purpose,"
"'I'll feel I'm beginning to live.'"
"When life has meaning,
you can bear almost anything."
"Without it, nothing is bearable."
When I heard I had a son...
I had to break out.
I don't belong in that place.
When I saw what they were
trying to do to me,
how that judge was trying to enslave me,
I went into that courtroom
and I shot him dead.
You know what?
It felt good.
If I were the one
who killed your husband,
could you forgive me?
I don't know.
Maybe God can.
Hey, it's Ashley. Leave a message.
Well, I guess you're in the shower.
Okay, well, we're leaving the house now,
so please don't be late.
All right, we'll see you at 9:30 sharp.
Aunt Kim, come on, can we go?
Yeah, let's go meet your mama
at the Fashion Show.
You look so pretty!
Brian, it's time.
I have to leave now.
I can't be late to see my daughter.
I said, I have to go.
Okay, I'm leaving.
Paige needs me.
I can't disappoint her again.
BRIAN: Wait.
You'll need this.
Come on!
(TIRES SCREECH)
Don't you dare die on me.
DISPATCHER: Gwinnett County, 911.
Yes, my name is Ashley Smith.
The guy from the courthouse,
Brian Nichols,
he's been holding me hostage
for the past seven hours.
He just let me go.
Hold on, let me get you
the hotline number.
No, this isn't a tip.
I was being held hostage...
Ma'am, you need to start
from the beginning.
Brian Nichols is in my apartment,
Bridgewater Apartments.
Please hold on.
MAN: Miss Smith,
this is Sergeant Evans.
We have your location.
Stay where you are, we're sending a...
(PHONE BEEPS)
(SOBBING)
(HELICOPTER APPROACHING)
There is a man she is identifying
as Nichols as being inside her house.
Now, once again, we do not have
independent confirmation...
- (SIRENS WAILING)
- (TIRES SCREECHING)
is talking about a woman
in Duluth, Georgia
who has called the local police to say...
Visual on them, give me 20 feet.
You two, the second team.
So you're saying
you didn't know him at all.
No.
I didn't.
So why'd he pick your apartment?
I don't know.
Were there any drugs involved?
Answer the question, yes or no?
Yeah, there was ice. I didn't do any.
I don't care what you did
or did not do, ma'am.
How long ago did Nichols use?
Um...
About 4:00 a.m.
OFFICER: All residents
in a two-block radius...
Paige!
Paige, stop!
Stop. Stop!
MALE NEWSCASTER: They're gonna
put a tighter circle around the apartment
where they think that Nichols may be.
FEMALE NEWSCASTER:
If it is indeed Brian Nichols
inside of this lady's house,
is this going exactly the way
you had just hoped it would not,
but that you predicted it might?
MALE NEWSCASTER:
This is the worst case scenario
as far as perhaps him being
in a house with someone else.
Sir. The landline to the apartment's
up and running.
- (PHONE RINGING)
- MALE NEWSCASTER: If it's him,
we've got him located someplace.
This case is breaking so fast, Alex,
it's hard to get a breath
and it moves to a new phase.
JOHN: Hello?
Hello, Brian Nichols?
This is Lieutenant John Chestnut again.
MALE NEWSCASTER: The entire area
that you're showing a shot of right now,
nobody in, nobody out,
but law enforcement.
(SIRENS WAILING)
(PHONE LINE BEEPING)
Busy.
MALE NEWSCASTER:
It becomes a road called 141
which takes you right into Duluth.
I've got movement.
Positive I.D. on the suspect.
Permission to fire.
MALE NEWSCASTER:
This individual, Mr. Nichols,
sounds like he's been somewhat astute
in his observations.
It sounds to me like he
has stayed off main roads...
It's very accurate.
FEMALE NEWSCASTER:
We've got Meredith MacKenzie
joining us now, reporting live
from Bridgewater Apartments.
The manhunt during the last 24 hours
has kept the people of Atlanta in fear
from a killer with no conscience.
He's shooting, take cover!
- What's going on?
- Okay, ma'am, I need you to stay back.
Brian Nichols!
Put down your weapon
and come out of there
with your hands in the air.
Repeat, come out of there
with your hands in the air!
OFFICER: All rifles, maintain positions!
(RETCHES)
JOHN: Brian Nichols.
Time to end this.
Come out, and give yourself up.
You're completely surrounded,
no way of winning.
No need to prolong this situation.
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
Go get that Smith woman.
Maybe she could talk him out.
(DIALING)
(LINE RINGING)
LYNN: Sorry I can't come
to the phone right now.
Leave a message.
I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Lynn.
It's Brian.
I wanted to leave a message
for my little boy.
For Christopher.
Please don't erase it.
Please let him...
Let him listen to it,
when he's old enough.
Christopher, it's your daddy.
You're gonna hear some
bad things about me.
But, whatever happens,
whatever people say,
I just want you to know...
I love you.
Goodbye, little man.
What do you want me to say?
JOHN: Just say whatever
you think is best.
We don't wanna have
to go in there after him.
Brian.
It's Ashley.
I came back.
It's not too late, Brian.
Brian!
There is purpose in your life.
It's time.
Do the right thing, Brian.
Thank you for trying.
Get her to a safe place.
Officer.
Okay, Brian, it's over.
Last chance!
You got exactly 30 seconds!
OFFICER 1: He's coming out!
Hands in the air! Keep it up in the air!
OFFICER 2: Do you see him?
OFFICER 3: Affirmative.
OFFICER 1: Request permission to fire.
Stand down!
OFFICER 2: Nowhere to go, pal!
OFFICER 1: Show your hands!
OFFICER 3: Go, move!
OFFICER 1: Go, let's go!
Move it, move it!
- In position, right side!
- Faster, come on!
No civilians behind the building!
- He's coming out!
- I don't have a visual!
OFFICER 1: Come closer, keep walking!
OFFICER 3: Keep walking!
- Get on your knees!
- Get on your knees!
Get on your knees! Get on your knees!
On your knees, on your knees!
Hands behind your head!
Let's go!
Get on the ground, now!
Don't move!
OFFICER 1: Stay down!
OFFICER 3: Eyes down!
Stay down!
- Get him up, get him up!
- He's clean.
MAN: Team leaders,
let's have them check in.
(ENGINE STARTS)
(SIRENS WAILING)
Ms. Smith...
I don't know what
you went through in there, ma'am.
But whatever you did,
thank you.
I'm sorry, ma'am, but you can't go in.
Mommy!
Paige!
Ashley!
I love you so much!
Darling, are you okay?
I am now.
You came.
Of course we came.
I'm sorry I wasn't there this morning.
But from now on, I will be, okay?
Just you and me.
I love you.
I love you, too.
Oh, thank God.
I was very nervous. I was scared.
What have you just done?
You have just offered
the thing that has ruined your life
and made you crazy to a killer.
- You're dead now.
- OPRAH: Mmm-hmm.
OPRAH: Yeah, when I read that,
I thought, well...
- Jesus loves you, girl.
- (ASHLEY LAUGHS)
Jesus be looking at you.
Because, to offer crystal meth
to a killer is pretty...
I thought, I would rather die
in this apartment tonight,
not doing those drugs.
I don't care what happens to me
as long as I make it out of here alive
to see my daughter.
Were you at that point thinking,
"I might be able to live.
I think I can live"?
I was trying to have some hope, yeah.
He's here, and he wants
to meet you in person.
ASHLEY: No way.
Please welcome the author
of The Purpose Driven Life,
Rick Warren.
(APPLAUSE)
Oprah, there are two great stories
in Ashley's life.
One of them is,
you don't have to be perfect
to be used by God.
OPRAH: Yeah.
WARREN: If God only
used perfect people,
nothing would get done,
because none of us are perfect.
I think the other thing is that
no matter how bad your problems are,
God's purpose is bigger.
I think it was Ashley's attitude
from the whole book
that actually made the difference,
in that, everybody's looking for hope.
OPRAH: Yeah.
The book's just a book about hope.
Because when people
are going through a crisis,
they're looking for hope.